For 2010 graduates, the past year presented challenges in finding professional jobs with adequate living wages; however, it also offered unexpected opportunities and sounded positive notes despite a battered economy.

On the upside, jobs in private industry continued to be lucrative for new LIS graduates, with higher starting salaries and more jobs on offer. On the downside, all too many grads are struggling to make ends meet working lower-paid jobs in coffee shops, retail stores, and offices.

In a year that brought disappointment to many grads, both women and men found modest salary growth in a number of areas, and the gender gap closed significantly. Graduates claiming minority status recovered much of what was lost in 2009, but inequity persists.

Numbers and statistics do not convey the complete story. The words of the graduates provide a sense of what is really happening. They spoke of both triumphs and disappointments in reaching their postgraduation goals and expectations.

We received responses through either the institutional survey or individuals representing 38 of the 48 American Library Association–accredited LIS schools surveyed in the United States and from 1,789 of the reported LIS graduates.

LJ’s Editor-in-Chief writes: “Those of you waiting to start your professional careers should take heart, and some solid advice, from the stories here, whether you’re immersed in or just embarking on the job search.”